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UPDATE: Live election results from the Virginia State Board of Elections are available here beginning at 7 pm. The page refreshes automatically as new results become available.

Folks, Election Day is here. It’s the day we’ve been waiting for.

RetireJimMoran.com was launched in April of this year with a clear message. We launched this site because it seems that for the last 20 years, Jim Moran has been given a blank check by the 8th District. Scandal after scandal, gaffe after gaffe, Moran still gets reelected by huge margins, despite being voted “Worst Local Congressman” by Washingtonian readers. It seemed no one was keeping an eye on him, so we decided to do that. In August, we started putting RetireJimMoran.com signs up across the district, and those signs brought thousands of voters to our website to see our message of change for the 8th District.

We have made dozens of reports about what Moran is doing while “serving” this district. It hasn’t been pretty. So with this post, we are going to summarize everything we’ve reported on to make our case to you about why you should vote to retire Jim Moran on Tuesday.

Jim Moran was elected to the Alexandria City Council in 1979. He was appointed deputy mayor in 1982. But in 1984 he was charged with felony conflict of interest for casting a vote on the Council that helped a developer friend win a bid for a lucrative plot of public land. The charge was eventually downgraded to a misdemeanor, and a sobbing Moran pleaded no contest and was forced to resign.That’s where his corruption began. He came back quickly, and in 1985 he was elected mayor of Alexandria. His tenure as mayor was embarrassing; as we’ve reported on in Moran’s Greatest Hits, he was known to get into bar fights and as some Alexandria police officers during the time said, he would’ve been arrested on at least one occasion if he wasn’t the mayor. (Source: Capitol Hill Blue)

Moran ran for Congress in 1990 and narrowly defeated the late Stan Parris, who was a popular Republican incumbent. Moran certainly made a name for himself in Congress; as one who once said “I like to hit people”, Moran shoved a fellow congressman on the House floor, an incident which required a dozen police officers to break up, and told another congressman, “I’ll break your nose!” (Sources: Washington Times, Washington Express) His tenure in Congress has been marked with controversy after controversy, which you can read about in Moran’s Greatest Hits.

But this election, there are three things that have emerged as the most important reasons to vote against Jim Moran in 2010.

First is corruption. Moran didn’t learn his lesson from his conflict of interest charge from the city council. As we have reported on extensively, Jim Moran has been involved in an elaborate “pay-to-play” corruption scheme in which he secures earmarks for defense contractors in exchange for campaign contributions. He has deep ties to the now-defunct PMA Group, a multimillion dollar lobbying group which was closed in 2009 after the FBI raided its offices in November 2008. PMA would exchange campaign contributions for earmarks for its clients from congressmen on the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, which Moran chairs. PMA Group remains Jim Moran’s top contributor in his career: They gave a total of $177,700 to him from 1990 to 2008. PMA’s founder, Paul Magliocchetti, personally gave $2,000 to Moran in 2006. Magliocchetti plead guilty to felony campaign finance fraud in September 2010 and faces up to 15 years in prison. In light of this, RetireJimMoran.com called on Jim Moran to donate the $177,700 in dirty money to an 8th District charity. He has yet to do so. In just the first quarter of 2010, Moran accepted $38,500 in contributions from executives, PACs, and lobbyists of companies for whom he has obtained over $26 million in earmarks. This shows Moran’s utter carelessness towards 8th District voters who want to see integrity in their representative. You can read all of our research about Moran’s corruption with sources at our special report.

Next is tax cuts. The decision about whether or not to extend the Bush administration tax cuts has been a hot topic on Capitol Hill. This is a very real, tangible way in which Moran’s policies affect you personally, directly, and dramatically. Jim Moran has been one of the most vocal members of Congress against extending the tax cuts. A study from the nonpartisan Tax Foundation shows the savings for the average middle class family in each congressional district if the tax cuts are extended. The average middle class family in the 8th District of Virginia with the median income of $111,455 would save $2,895 if the tax cuts are extended. Essentially, voting for Jim Moran costs you $2,895.

Finally, what we hope is the final straw for Jim Moran emerged in just the last couple of weeks. RetireJimMoran.com first broke the story of Moran’s disgusting comments that his opponent Col. Patrick Murray, U.S. Army (Ret.) was just “collecting a government check” in the 24 years he served in the military and it was not public service. National outrage ensued as the story was picked up by numerous media outlets across the country and several pro-military organizations condemned him. Of course, Moran claimed his remarks were “taken out of context” and he meant that Murray hadn’t performed service for the local community. His words speak for themselves. Putting aside the fact that the military serves all Americans, including those in the 8th District, it’s kind of hard to serve on the PTA when you’re being shot at in a warzone.

Moran’s comments show his contempt for the district he represents, which is home to thousands of military men and women, the Pentagon, and Arlington National Cemetery. He is completely out of touch with his constituents.

Twenty years of corruption, embarrassment, and contempt for constituents is enough. It’s time for change in the 8th District. On Tuesday, it’s time to finally retire Jim Moran.

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Our video of Jim Moran’s outrageous comments about public service has gone viral. Both the local and national media, both news and opinion, have picked up on the story. If you haven’t heard the story yet, check out this post.

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“I am calling on Virginia’s 8th District to vote out an irresponsible congressman, Jim Moran. By suggesting that military service is not “public service” Moran shows a blatant disrespect for all men and women who wear the uniform in defense of our nation,” said Jackson. “As a Navy Veteran, I am humbled by Col. Murray’s 24-year record of public service to our nation. The people of Virginia deserve a better representative than a Congressman with such blatant disrespect for military service. Congressman Moran should be ashamed, and should be held accountable by the voters on Election Day. This election presents a clear choice between a man who has served his nation with honor and dignity, and a man who instead lobs cowardly insults at those who dedicate themselves to defending this nation. Colonel Murray stands for integrity, sacrifice, and noble service, whereas Congressman Moran stands for himself and politics as usual. I urge voters to take advantage of the opportunity to replace a coward with a hero.”

UPDATE: See this video of the veterans press conference today on Moran’s comments:

Fallout from Jim Moran’s comments that his opponent hasn’t “performed any kind of public service” despite his 24 years of service in the U.S. Army is continuing into the final home stretch before the election.

This morning on WTOP Radio, Moran said his remarks were, of course, “taken out of context”. Moran’s campaign has accused us of distortion, but his words speak for themselves.

His excuse wasn’t good enough as Moran was condemned by two military advocacy groups, the Move America Forward PAC and Combat Veterans for Congress.

MAF PAC said, “The statement shocked and offended millions of veterans around the country as well as patriots who all agree that military service is a more pure and essential public service than being a politician.”

Combat Veterans for Congress said, “We will not sit idly by as Patrick Murray’s 24-year record of honorable public service is dismissed…The American people should retire an irresponsible Congressmen like Jim Moran who has has no regard for military service. He has no right to dismiss Col Patrick Murray’s, service to his country as insignificant. As Veterans of every major conflict, we demand a public apology from Rep. Jim Moran.”

Moran’s outrageous comments aren’t his only military-related problem.

Moran claims on campaign literature (see the scan here) to have been endorsed by the Military Officers Association of America. The only problem is that he wasn’t.

As the Washington Examinerreports, on October 11th, MOAA’s general counsel, Major General Joseph Lynch (USAF-Ret.) sent a letter to Moran asking him to stop claiming endorsements from them:

As a not-for-profit organization governed by the Internal Revenue Code, the Military Officers Association of America is barred by law from participating or intervening, either directly or indirectly, in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for elective public office.

MOAA did recognize Rep. Moran in 1999 with our Arthur T. Marix Congressional Leadership Award. But the campaign flyer implies a more recent and more explicit MOAA rating/endorsement in connection with this campaign that did not occur.

Moran also claims an endorsement from the Disabled American Veterans Association which he also didn’t receive (see this Murray for Congress video).

Now, he is touting an endorsement from the Veterans of Foreign Wars PAC: “I am proud to receive the endorsement of the VFW PAC and thank the committee for their hard work and advocacy on behalf of its 2.1 million members of the VFW, its auxiliaries and their families.”

Only problem is, VFW PAC is a rogue group over which VFW has no control.

RetireJimMoran.com contacted VFW, urging them to drop what we thought was their endorsement of Moran in light of his comments. VFW responded with this:

VFW-PAC was formed in 1979 by the delegates of the VFW 80th National Convention as a committee that would operate as a “separate and non-partisan organization charged with the single task of working in Congress to support candidates who have taken responsible positions on issues involving national defense and legislation pertaining to the nation’s veterans”.

On September 24, 2010 VFW-PAC released its list of endorsed candidates, immediately igniting controversy over many of its choices.

VFW’s initial response dated October 8, 2010 stated the national line officers of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) are at odds with the VFW Political Action Committee (PAC), calling the methodology process used by the PAC “seriously flawed at best this year and in immediate need of extensive review” further stating, “Obviously, an organization’s political positions have to reflect the opinions of its members. But those opinions can’t be perceived as ‘off the wall,’ and the methodology used this year to grade candidates obviously is skewed in favor of the incumbent. That isn’t fair, and it actually subverts the democratic process.” It was at this time VFW line officers had decided to bring the question of continued existence of the PAC to the floor during the 112th VFW national convention in August 2011. Many of you questioned, “Why 2011?” Because the VFW By-Laws allow for the PAC Committee to exist and VFW By-Laws may only be amended by the delegates of the VFW Convention, which is held annually.

As word of the endorsements spread, members and supporters of VFW grew more irritated over VFW-PAC’s choices and demanded answers.

Not understanding that the VFW itself had no control over the endorsements, many of you continued to write, expressing displeasure asking the national commander somehow intervene. In an open statement to VFW members, national officers stated “As determined in the VFW By-Laws, as the national officers, we have specific responsibilities to take definitive action when events can have a detrimental impact on the organization. It is clear to us that the current situation now demands direct action; therefore, we are requesting the chairman and the directors of the Political Action Committee immediately rescind their endorsement actions.” The VFW-PAC refused, stating “VFW-PAC disagrees with those who claim their endorsement process is skewed, flawed, or unfair”.

On October 15, 2010 VFW National Commander Richard Eubank, using his authority under Section 619 & 620 of the VFW National By-Laws/Manual of Procedure, withdrew all PAC Committee appointments effective immediately. Furthermore, he is asking the VFW national council for a vote of “no confidence” in the VFW PAC (this council administers the affairs between conventions). VFW national officers are gearing up to propose an amendment to the VFW National By-Laws to dissolve VFW-PAC.

It is important to remember, VFW membership dues nor donations made to VFW or VFW Foundation do not support VFW-PAC. VFW itself does not make political endorsements.

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UPDATE: Patrick Murray responds. See the video at the bottom of this post and our press release issued yesterday.

Take a look at this video of Jim Moran from the October 6 Arlington County Democratic Committee meeting:

Here’s what he said:

What [Republicans] do is that they find candidates – usually stealth candidates – that haven’t been in office, haven’t served or performed any kind of public service. My opponent is typical.

Really, Jim? Col. J. Patrick Murray, U.S. Army (Ret.) served his country honorably for 24 years in the military. That includes deployment to Baghdad in 2007 and a tour at the United Nations. How dare you say that is not public service.

Let’s put politics aside. This is utterly disgraceful. Jim Moran needs to apologize to the millions of Americans who have served and are serving their country in the best possible way they can, and to the families of military men and women who have sacrificed so much for our freedom.

Jim Moran says serving in the military is NOT public service Citizens Demand Apology for All Who Serve, Past & Present

ARLINGTON, VA — The website RetireJimMoran.com is calling on Rep. Jim Moran of the 8th District of Virginia to apologize for comments Moran made about his Republican opponent in the November 2nd general election, Patrick Murray.

At the October 6 meeting of the Arlington County Democratic Committee (video here), Moran said, “What [Republicans] do is that they find candidates – usually stealth candidates – that haven’t been in office, haven’t served or performed any kind of public service. My opponent is typical.” Patrick Murray is a retired U.S. Army Colonel who served 24 years in the military, including deployment to Baghdad, Iraq as part of the troop surge in 2007.

“Let’s put politics aside. Moran’s comments are utterly disgraceful and insulting to not just Patrick Murray, but to all the millions of men and women who have served in our military, past and present,” said Tommy Valentine, webmaster of RetireJimMoran.com. “Serving honorably in the military, as Col. Murray did for 24 years, is the best kind of public service anyone can do for our great nation.”

“Moran needs to apologize to Patrick Murray and to the millions of brave men and women who fought and died to give him the freedom to say such things. His comments are gravely offensive to every patriotic American.”

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Jim Moran never fails to make all sorts of ridiculous comments during campaigns. Here are a few from the 2010 campaign.

At a debate in May, at which he refused to appear on the same stage as his opponents, Moran endorsed a carbon tax, to some gasps in the audience of businesspeople from the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce. A carbon tax, taxing the burning of fuels, would stifle economic recovery and growth, and wouldn’t even make a dent in greenhouse gas emissions. It would cause energy bills to skyrocket. (Click here for the video and full recap of this debate.) And here, he endorsed raising the gas tax:

At his campaign kickoff rally, Moran made the outrageously false claim that his opponent, Patrick Murray, wants to shoot illegal immigrants:

Last Sunday, at the debate at the Temple Beth El synagogue in Alexandria, Moran called the Bush administration “immoral” for cutting taxes without cutting spending, and said the country should emulate Clinton administration policy of requiring tax cuts to be accompanied by spending cuts. This comes from the congressman who has voted for every big spending bill he could, such as the $1 trillion health care bill and $800 billion stimulus. Murray rightfully called him out for his hypocrisy, saying, “There are no atheists in foxholes. Where have you been for the last 20 years?”

Finally, last week at the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce debate, Moran said, “I support earmarks. Yeah, I do…and I intend to keep earmarking.” Look no further than this piece exposing Moran’s disturbing earmark corruption.